In this course, students will write a short story, present and review it in class. In the first and second class the instructor will explain his own view on literature, past works and writing styles. After class 3, students will present the short stories they wrote themselves and criticize each others' works. In the discussion, “The pleasure and difficulties of writing”, “The intrinsic driving force of fiction”, and “The principles of creating fiction” will be covered. Also, the “Creativity” and “Originality” necessary for writing a creative piece will be discussed.
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) Experience the pleasure of writing a work by themselves.
2) Acquire the ability to critique others' pieces from the perspective of making them better.
3) Acquire a broad view of what authors were thinking when they were writing a piece of fiction, through actually writing a piece of fiction by themselves.
Literature, creativity, criticism
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
In the first and second classes we will decide the presentation order and from the third class onward two to three students will present their own short stories, so that this course will provide the opportunity for everyone to participate. Students are required to actively participate; not to use trite ideas or literary theories but to “Think by themselves, with their own words”. A novelist or literary magazine editor will be invited as a guest. In the last class the best short story will be voted on by the participants.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Guidance | |
Class 2 | The instructor's view on literature | Instructor will explain his own views on literature, past works, and writing styles. |
Class 3 | Present and criticize short stories (1) | Learn methods of criticizing others' works. |
Class 4 | Present and criticize short stories (2) | Learn methods of criticizing others' works. |
Class 5 | Present and criticize short stories (3) | Learn methods of criticizing others' works. |
Class 6 | Present and criticize short stories (4) | Learn methods of criticizing others' works. |
Class 7 | Present and criticize short stories (5) | Learn methods of criticizing others' works. |
Class 8 | Discussion on creativity with a guest writer. | Write a comment of the guest speaker 's discussion and turn it in as a report |
Class 9 | Present and criticize short stories (6) | Learn methods of criticizing others' works. |
Class 10 | Present and criticize short stories (7) | Learn methods of criticizing others' works. |
Class 11 | Present and criticize short stories (8) | Learn methods of criticizing others' works. |
Class 12 | Present and criticize short stories (9) | Learn methods of criticizing others' works. |
Class 13 | Present and criticize short stories (10) | Learn methods of criticizing others' works. |
Class 14 | Present and criticize short stories (11) | Learn methods of criticizing others' works. |
Class 15 | Vote on best novel award, then summarize |
None, handouts given when necessary
None
Participation during class (ex. speaking) (30%),
In-class report (30%)
Short story (40%)
Students who took "Birth of fiction 2" in 2015 cannot take this class
isozaki.k.ac[at]m.titech.ac.jp
Contact by e-mail in advance. Office West Building 9 Room 803.